Recent works archive

2011

Grote Kerk, Schiedam
Flentrop orgel, Grote Kerk SchiedamIn 2010 a number of renowned organbuilders were asked to bid for a major overhaul and expansion. After examination and comparison, the contract for the renovation and expansion was awarded to J.L. van den Heuvel Orgelbouw.
In the period January-April 2011, we conducted the following activities:
  • cleaning and restoration of all the pipes
  • partial re-voicing
  • installation of new wind ways for display pipes and offset pipes
  • installation of additional walkboards
  • checking of key- and stopaction
  • stabilization display pipes
  • making an independent windsupply for the pedal, consisting of two bellows and windmotors, placed under the windchests of the pedal
  • expansion of the pedal with a Prestant 16' and Roerquint 12' and also a reservation for a Fagot 32', placed on two new windchests against the wall behind the organ.
    The pipes of the Prestant 16' were constructed in 1920 by Van der Kleij as Open Subbas 16' for the Oosterkerk in Schiedam. In 1988 it found a place in the Magnalia Dei Church, Schiedam. Now this church will be closed, the Open Subbas (after revoicing to Prestant) has been incorporated in the Flentrop organ of the Grote Kerk. The Roerquint 12' was newly made by us. For the yet to be installed Fagot 32' a fundraising action will be held.
    Flentrop orgel, Grote Kerk SchiedamThe organ was inaugurated at april 30, 2011 by Arjen Leistra, organist of the Grote Kerk.

    A photo report of the work can be found here.

  • 2010

    Saint Eustache, Parijs
    Saint-Eustache, ParijsIn 1989 Van den Heuvel orgelbouw constructed the largest organ of France in the famous Saint-Eustache church. The organ consists of 101 stops (147 rangs) spread out over five manuals and pedal. The are two consoles, one at the gallery with assisted mechanical key action and one down in the nave with electric action. The organ was, the last 21 years, and still is used very intensively on a daily basis for study, concerts, recordings and naturally numerous services.

    The last 10 years the city of Paris, owner of church and organ, has carried out a lot of restoration work on both the interior and exterior of the monumental building. The works will continue for several more years.

    The city of Paris considers the Van den Heuvel-organ of the Saint-Eustache still as the most prestigious organ of France.
    During recent years several lightning strikes hit the church and organ causing damages to phone and computer electronics of both church and organ. After 21 years it got significantly difficult to find replacement parts for the organ electronics. The city of Paris decided to modernize and expand the possibilities of the organ by replacing the electronics with a state-of-the-art bus-technology system.

    The memory system of the combination action was updated to 20,000 combinations which can be written to a USB memory stick.

    Console de Nef
    At the movable nave console additional couplers were installed (Grand-Choeur/Positif, Solo/Positif en Grand-Choeur/Récit). Also several special melody couplers were added: Soprano Grand-Choeur/Pédale, Soprano Récit/Pédale en Basse Grand-Choeur/Pédale.
    A programmable pedal divide enhances the solistic possibilities of the pedal. A MIDI recording and playback system was added.
    The nave console received all its updates in the workshop in Dordrecht. After 21 years the organ received in august and September 2010 the usual cleaning and large maintenance service.

    Console de Nef

    Protestantse Gemeente De Open Hof, Oud-Beijerland
    Protestantse Gemeente De Open Hof, Oud-BeijerlandIn September 2010, the new Open Hof Kerk opened its doors. The Leeflang organ was relocated from the Thomas Kerk. It received a major overhaul during the relocation and there were also some improvements carried out. Due to the changing arrangement of the liturgical center the organ was placed on a mobile platform so that it will be used optimally during services and concerts.

    "The organ has become great, you take that from me. The organ case is in a striking brown color and has been great to show off in our large church hall, on a wooden platform and on wheels. Interestingly, the overly sharp sound of the Hoofdwerk has become milder. The Regaal of the Borstwerk has become a full and round Dulciaan. The Fagot of the pedal sounds better than ever" Leo Lommers cantor organist

    Ichtuskerk, Scheveningen
    (Gereformeerde kerk Vrijgemaakt)
    Ichtuskerk, ScheveningenThe Flentrop organ (19IIP, 1956) underwent a major overhaul. The organ was completely cleaned, wereby the pipes were temporarily removed. The mechanical action and the windsupply were inspected, repaired and adjusted. After thorough cleaning and restoring the flue pipes, voicing was leveled and checked, the voicing of the reed stops was significantly improved.